Imagine that your heart is concerned more for other people than yourself. So much so, that you hardly think of your wants and needs at all. Is such a society possible? I think it is not only possible, but quite natural also. Imagine what a society made up of such people would be like? Everyone would be happy in their love for others and there is no need for someone to feel insecure or to worry about his own circumstances - he will be looked after by the people that love him.

But what if there are shortages of some things? In this case, surely someone who loves his friends and family will gladly go without for their sake, whilst at the same time doing everything he can to ensure they are provided for. Thus we have a hardworking society of people providing for each other, without a hint of selfishness. Compare this with modern capitalism, which has exactly the opposite philosophy - each person should look to his own self-interest, and the 'invisible hand' of the market will ensure no-one goes without. The falseness of this modern belief system becomes more obvious everyday.

Which society would you prefer? One in which everyone looks after 'his own self interest' even at the expense of the suffering of others - perhaps yourself if circumstances are bad. Or a society where you need not give a thought for your own needs, as you have been, and always will be, most carefully cared for and looked after by your friends and family, and in such a society you will never lack for either.

Now maybe you will never get everyone acting completely out of love for others, but even the vast majority of people acting in this way would be a pleasant society to live in. Of course such a society is impossible if the vast majority of people are not cared for, are neither loved, nor have anyone to love, or - even worse - live in constant anxiety over the state of the world, potential terrorism, meeting daily living costs, or have an ever present threat of losing their job or means of living. Sound familiar? It should, as this is a summary of our current society - where the nightly news blares out threats and contributes to feelings of insecurity of all, supported by a choir of politicians and businesses seeking to exploit our fears and insecurities to their own advantage.

So how do we achieve a mostly selfless society? Perhaps we should care for each child in such a way they never need fear for their own circumstances. This does not mean we must indulge them. Of course they must be taught how to be respectful of others and their needs, and at times even adults may need reminding of this. Nor should they be spoilt with material goods, perhaps shared facilities in communities may help here - rather than each house having its own pile of hardly-used toys? If the adults raise their chidlren like this, and through their behaviour also demonstrate that each adult is taken care of in the same way, then surely our citizens should have no fear for their own needs and security? Surely this is a better basis for a society of love and one in which people are free to care not about themselves, but almost entirely about others?

Is this possible? I believe so, as apparently did Dr Maria Montessori, initiator of a form of education that she felt could lead to world peace - a form of education in which children are raised to feel safe and secure, and taught to respect each other and the natural environment. Such is the Christian philosophy - that people can be like this, and should strive to be - to be supremely UNselfish, with Jesus as our inspiration and model. A far cry from the view promoted in our schools and newspapers our movies and computer games, where the ultimate success of wealth or fame is defined as reaching the pinnacle of human achievement in our 'modern' system of selfishness and self-love.

Great article, and great need for its application. The good in the world has to surface to overcome the evil if we are to say this is a civilised society. That invites the question - am I contributing to this society in the unselfish manner called for through love for others?

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Charlotte Jones

10/16/2014 09:18:47 am

There are such people, and often they are young children or teens, i.e. the boy who voluntarily became bald so that his friend with cancer did not need to be the only one in class with no hair. Or the young lady of 12 who raised over a thousand dollars for people in need, and she did it on her own by starting a business. Such, and many others like these thoughtful souls are probably incarnated now so that Christ's reign of peace and love can begin soon. I hope that all of us adults can be inspired by these little ones and learn from them how to live a life of peace and love, like the song of several decades ago was given to us: What the world needs now is love, sweet love. The world still needs it badly.

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Matt

10/16/2014 03:15:07 pm

Thanks Peter and Charlotte,

Yes, I think we can learn a lot from children (goods ones that is!).
I keep recalling Christ's teaching on exactly how our heart should feel: like that of child's. Children accept people as they are, and tend not to think one child is better than another, even though some may have better academic or sporting abilities. Chidren are often kind and caring towards each other, and they give their own love unconditionally.

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Author

The author, Matthew, draws his ideas from writers such as C.S Lewis, Jakob Lorber, Emanuel Swedenborg and others.